Labi Siffre

Labi Siffre is an English poet, songwriter and singer. Born the fourth of five children at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital in Hammersmith, London in 1945 to a Barbadian/Belgian mother and a Nigerian father, Siffre was brought up in Bayswater and Hampstead and educated at a Catholic monastery school, St Benedict’s School, in Ealing.

He is most well known for writing the anti-Apartheid anthem (Something Inside) So Strong, that has remained enduringly popular and is an example of the political and sociological thread that has run through much of Siffre’s lyrics and poetry. The songwon the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically & Lyrically and has been used in Amnesty International campaigns, a television advertisement and Alice Walker’s film against female genital mutilation Warrior Marks. His stance on civil and human rights has further enhanced his reputation.